Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Assessment Of Mental Health Of University Students With Ghq-12, Sarp Üner, Hi̇lal Özcebe, T. Gökhan Telatar, Sabahat Tezcan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the mental health status of university students and the factors affecting their mental health. Materials and Methods: The universe of the study consisted of a total of 8407 students enrolled as first- or third-year students of a university. The study sample was determined by using the ``sampling size where the population in universe is known´´ formula. The study questionnaire was designed to include questions regarding some sociodemographic characteristics and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-12. Data were analyzed by SPSS 15.0, and binary logistic regression forward selection method was used to determine …

The Anesthetic Approach In A Patient With Type I Neurofibromatosis With Multiple Deformities, Nurten İnan, Hülya Başar, Müge Türkoğlu, Handan Güleç, Esma Tezer, Bülent Baltaci

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

von Recklinghausen disease is a type I neurofibromatosis originating from the nervous system. In this syndrome, there is abnormal deposition of neural tissue in the nervous system, endocrine system, visceral structures, and skin. We report the anesthetic management of a 31-year-old female patient with multiple thorax deformities who was diagnosed as von Recklinghausen disease. The patient was admitted to the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department because of a huge subcutaneous neurofibroma on her right upper extremity. General anesthesia was considered a high risk for this patient on the basis of her laboratory results and physical findings. We planned brachial plexus …

Coexistence Of Tuberculosis Verrucosa Cutis With Scrofuloderma, Müzeyyen Gönül, Ülker Gül, Arzu Kiliç, Seçi̇l Soylu, Murat Demi̇ri̇z, Ayhan Kubar

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Although cutaneous tuberculosis is rarely seen in developed countries, it is still commonly seen in developing countries. Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis (TVC) is a form of cutaneous tuberculosis that is caused by direct inoculation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis into the skin through open wounds or abrasions in sensitized individuals and is rarely seen in our country. Scrofuloderma is a form of cutaneous tuberculosis that occurs by direct spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from a contiguous structure. Coexistence of TVC and scrofuloderma is extremely rare. A 35-year-old woman presented to our clinic with a lesion on the dorsum of her left hand. Dermatological examination …

Hiv-1 Tat And Aids-Associated Cancer: Targeting The Cellular Anti-Cancer Barrier?, Giuseppe Nunnari, Johanna A Smith, René Daniel

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is accompanied by a significant increase in the incidence of neoplasms. Several causative agents have been proposed for this phenomenon. These include immunodeficiency and oncogenic DNA viruses and the HIV-1 protein Tat. Cancer in general is closely linked to genomic instability and DNA repair mechanisms. The latter maintains genomic stability and serves as a cellular anti-cancer barrier. Defects in DNA repair pathway are associated with carcinogenesis. This review focuses on newly discovered connections of the HIV-1 protein Tat, as well as cellular co-factors of Tat, to double-strand break DNA repair. We propose that the Tat-induced …

Upa Is Upregulated By High Dose Celecoxib In Women At Increased Risk Of Developing Breast Cancer., Wenyi Qin, Weizhu Zhu, John E Hewett, George Rottinghaus, Yin-Chieh Chen, John T Flynn, Beth Kliethermes, Ferdinando Mannello, Edward R Sauter

Department of Physiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: While increased urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) expression in breast cancer tissue is directly associated with poor prognosis, recent evidence suggests that uPA overexpression may suppress tumor growth and prolong survival. Celecoxib has been shown to have antiangiogenic and antiproliferative properties. We sought to determine if uPA, PA inhibitor (PAI)-1 and prostaglandin (PG)E2 expression in nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) and uPA and PGE2 expression in plasma were altered by celecoxib dose and concentration in women at increased breast cancer risk.

METHODS: NAF and plasma samples were collected in women at increased breast cancer risk before and 2 weeks after taking …

Taqi Polymorphism Of The Vitamin-D Receptor Gene And Quality Of Life In Postmenopausal Turkish Women, Savaş Gürsoy, Emi̇n Erdal, Belgi̇n Alaşehi̇rli̇, Ali̇ Aydeni̇z, Nuran Erdal

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: We aimed to assess vitamin-D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism in postmenopausal osteoporotic Turkish women as well as the impact of this on diagnosis, treatment and quality of life. Materials and Methods: Seventy postmenopausal osteoporotic women and 71 postmenopausal healthy women constituted the disease and control groups, respectively. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood of all participants and analyzed for the TaqI gene polymorphism of the VDR gene. The osteoporotic group was taking calcitonin, alendronate, calcitriol and elementary calcium, while the control group was taking only vitamin D and calcium. Quality of life of patients was measured by Nottingham Health …

Effects Of Cypermethrin On Isolated Frog Sciatic Nerve: An Ultrastructural Study, S. Necat Yilmaz, Ülkü Çömelekoğlu, Banu Coşkun, Ebru Balli, Aynur Özge

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: Cypermethrin is a potent representative of the type 2 pyrethroid insecticides. This study aimed to investigate the ultrastructural effects of cypermethrin on isolated frog sciatic nerve. Materials and Methods: 28 Rana ridibunda frogs were chosen and randomly divided into four groups (n = 7). After decapitation, sciatic nerves were isolated. All nerves except the control group were exposed to 2.5 µM cypermethrin in Ringer´s solution for 30 (group 1), 45 (group 2) and 60 (group 3) minutes, respectively. Tissue samples were evaluated by transmission electron microscope. Results: Degeneration in the myelin sheath and axon, decrease in the number of …

Susceptibility Of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia Coli Urine Isolates To Fosfomycin, Ciprofloxacin, Amikacin And Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole, Hüsnü Pullukçu, Şöhret Aydemi̇r, Meltem Işikgöz Taşbakan, Feri̇ha Çi̇lli̇, Alper Tünger, Sercan Ulusoy

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused in particular by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli strains are related with high morbidity and mortality, and treatment is quite difficult. These infections generally are treated by carbapenems, and their costs are high. We aimed in this study to investigate the susceptibilities of ESBL-producing E. coli strains isolated from urine cultures to fosfomycin, ciprofloxacin, amikacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and to determine the general resistance profile in our region of these strains isolated from UTIs. Materials and Methods: Between January 2005-December 2005, ESBL-producing E. coli strains isolated from urine samples sent from various outpatient and inpatient …

Inhibition Of Oncogene-Induced Inflammatory Chemokines Using A Farnesyltransferase Inhibitor., Katharine C Degeorge, Brent R Degeorge, James S Testa, Jay L Rothstein

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTI) are small molecule agents originally formulated to inhibit the oncogenic functions of Ras. Although subsequent analysis of FTI activity revealed wider effects on other pathways, the drug has been demonstrated to reduce Ras signaling by direct measurements. The purpose of the current study was to determine if FTI could be used to inhibit the inflammatory activities of a known Ras-activating human oncoprotein, RET/PTC3. RET/PTC3 is a fusion oncoprotein expressed in the thyroid epithelium of patients afflicted with thyroid autoimmune disease and/or differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Previous studies have demonstrated that RET/PTC3 signals through Ras and can …

A Comprehensive Analysis Of The Naturally Occurring Polymorphisms In Hiv-1 Vpr: Potential Impact On Ctl Epitopes., Alagarsamy Srinivasan, Velpandi Ayyavoo, Sundarasamy Mahalingam, Aarthi Kannan, Anne Boyd, Debduti Datta, Vaniambadi S Kalyanaraman, Anthony Cristillo, Ronald G Collman, Nelly Morellet, Bassel E Sawaya, Ramachandran Murali

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

The enormous genetic variability reported in HIV-1 has posed problems in the treatment of infected individuals. This is evident in the form of HIV-1 resistant to antiviral agents, neutralizing antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) involving multiple viral gene products. Based on this, it has been suggested that a comprehensive analysis of the polymorphisms in HIV proteins is of value for understanding the virus transmission and pathogenesis as well as for the efforts towards developing anti-viral therapeutics and vaccines. This study, for the first time, describes an in-depth analysis of genetic variation in Vpr using information from global HIV-1 isolates …

Stressor- And Corticotropin Releasing Factor-Induced Reinstatement And Active Stress-Related Behavioral Responses Are Augmented Following Long-Access Cocaine Self-Administration By Rats, John R. Mantsch, David A. Baker, David M. Francis, Eric S. Katz, Michael A. Hoks, Joseph P. Serge

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Rationale Stressful events during periods of drug abstinence likely contribute to relapse in cocaine-dependent individuals. Excessive cocaine use may increase susceptibility to stressor-induced relapse through alterations in brain corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) responsiveness.

Objectives This study examined stressor- and CRF-induced cocaine seeking and other stress-related behaviors in rats with different histories of cocaine self-administration (SA).

Materials and methods Rats self-administered cocaine under short-access (ShA; 2 h daily) or long-access (LgA; 6 h daily) conditions for 14 days or were provided access to saline and were tested for reinstatement by a stressor (electric footshock), cocaine or an icv injection of CRF and …

Gene Therapy Using Tet-Repressor System To Modulate Prostate Tumor Microenvironment, Nazita Yousefieh

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in men in the United States and is projected to be the third most frequent cause of male cancer-related deaths in 2007 after lung and skin cancers. The initial treatment for prostate cancer at early stages is prostatectomy or radiation, which usually is curative. However, approximately 20% of patients are not cured by such treatments and their cancer recurs, sometimes with long latencies. In other patients prostate cancer is diagnosed only after the cancer has metastasized and there are no effective therapies at this stage. Therefore immunotherapy seems to be a promising …

Droid: The Drosophila Interactions Database, A Comprehensive Resource For Annotated Gene And Protein Interactions, Jingkai Yu, Svetlana Pacifico, Guozhen Liu, Russell L. Finley Jr

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Charting the interactions among genes and among their protein products is essential for understanding biological systems. A flood of interaction data is emerging from high throughput technologies, computational approaches, and literature mining methods. Quick and efficient access to this data has become a critical issue for biologists. Several excellent multi-organism databases for gene and protein interactions are available, yet most of these have understandable difficulty maintaining comprehensive information for any one organism. No single database, for example, includes all available interactions, integrated gene expression data, and comprehensive and searchable gene information for the important model organism, Drosophila melanogaster. …

A Stable Explant Culture Of Her2/Neu Invasive Carcinoma Supported By Alpha-Smooth Muscle Actin Expressing Stromal Cells To Evaluate Therapeutic Agents, Marie P. Piechocki

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

To gain a better understanding of the effects of therapeutic agents on the tumor microenvironment in invasive cancers, we developed a co-culture model from an invasive lobular carcinoma. Tumor cells expressing HER2/neu organize in nests surrounded by alpha-Smooth Muscle Actin (α-SMA) expressing tumor stroma to resemble the morphology of an invading tumor. This co-culture, Mammary Adenocarcinoma Model (MAM-1) maintains a 1:1 ratio of HER2/neu positive tumor cells to α-SMA-reactive stromal cells and renews this configuration for over 20 passages in vitro.

Methods

We characterized the cellular elements of the MAM-1 model by microarray analysis, and immunocytochemistry. We developed …

Detailed Characterization Of The Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Transcriptome Reveals Novel Genes And Intergenic Splicing Associated With Pluripotency, Galih Kunarso, Kee-Yew Wong, Lawrence W. Stanton, Leonard Lipovich

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Transcriptional control of embryonic stem (ES) cell pluripotency has been a subject of intense study. Transcriptional regulators including Oct4 (Oct3/4 index), Sox2 and Nanog are fundamental for maintaining the undifferentiated state. However, the ES cell transcriptome is not limited to their targets, and exhibits considerable complexity when assayed with microarray, MPSS, cDNA/EST sequencing, and SAGE technologies. To identify novel genes associated with pluripotency, we globally searched for ES transcripts not corresponding to known genes, validated their sequences, determined their expression profiles, and employed RNAi to test their function.

Results

Gene Identification Signature (GIS) analysis, a SAGE derivative distinguished …

Autoimmune-Induced Preferential Depletion Of Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein (Mag) Is Genetically Regulated In Relapsing Eae (B6 × Sjl) F1 Mice, Dusanka S. Skundric, Rujuan Dai, Vaagn L. Zakarian, Weili Zhou

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is commonly used to investigate mechanisms of autoimmune-mediated damage to oligodendrocytes, myelin, and axons in multiple sclerosis (MS). Four distinct autoimmune mechanisms with subsequently distinct patterns of demyelination have been recognized in acute MS lesions. EAE correlates for those distinct patterns of MS lesions are unknown. An excessive loss of myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), as a result of distal oligodendrogliopathy, is found exclusively in the subtype III lesion. We sought to answer if types of demyelination in acute lesions during onset and relapse of EAE can replicate the specific patterns observed in MS acute lesions. …

In-Vivo Delivery Of Dna Vaccines Using Metallo-Lipid Nanoparticles, Clarissa Sara Gomez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

There has been a rapidly growing area of research in the design and synthesis of molecules that self-organize in water to form functional nanosystems and due to the high interest in the area metal ligand complexes were tested as drug delivery systems with a Leishmania vaccine. Herein, we present the design, synthesis and functional activity of Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes that self-assemble in water to form spherical nanoscale structures that exhibit an affinity to bind DNA and deliver it into eukaryotic cells with a high percent efficiency in-vitro. In order to assess the effectiveness of these nanoparticles to deliver DNA …

Micrornas (Mirnas) In Neurodegenerative Diseases, Peter T. Nelson, Wang-Xia Wang, Bernard W. Rajeev

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Aging-related neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are the culmination of many different genetic and environmental influences. Prior studies have shown that RNAs are pathologically altered during the inexorable course of some NDs. Recent evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) may be a contributing factor in neurodegeneration. miRNAs are brain-enriched, small (~22 nucleotides) non-coding RNAs that participate in mRNA translational regulation. Although discovered in the framework of worm development, miRNAs are now appreciated to play a dynamic role in many mammalian brain-related biochemical pathways, including neuroplasticity and stress responses. Research about miRNAs in the context of neurodegeneration is accumulating rapidly, and the goal of …

Editorial, First Science And Policy Issue, Jscas

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

A Call For A Statewide Bioinformatics Institute, John R. Rose

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

With The Help Of South Carolina Research Universities, Scra Demonstrates Leadership In Applied Research And Commercialization Within Sc, Bill Mahoney

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Sc Inbre: A Catalyst For Biomedical Research Development In South Carolina, Lucia A. Pirisi-Creek M.D, Scott Little, Ph.D.

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Inflammation: The Key To Health And Disease, Prakash Nagarkatti Ph. D, Donald J. Dipette M. D.

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Synthesis Of Multifunctional Nanogels Using A Protected Macromonomer Approach, Neetu Singh, L. Andrew Lyon

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Nanoparticles possessing multiple functionalities provide synthetic handles for varied surface chemistries, making them useful for a range of applications such as biotargeting and drug delivery. However, the combination of interfering functionalities on the same particle is often challenging. We have employed a synthetic scheme involving chemical protection/deprotection to combine interfering functional groups on the same hydrogel nanoparticle. The synthesis of amine-containing poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) nanogels was carried out via free radical precipitation polymerization by incorporating a Fmoc-protected amine poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) macromonomer. The Fmoc group was then removed to obtain free amines, which were shown to be available for conjugation. We further …

Different Segregation Of Chromosomes 5 And 7 In Two Generations And Related Phenotypic Findings, Osman Demi̇rhan, Nurdan Tunali, Şeyda Erdoğan, Deni̇z Taştemi̇r, Erdal Tunç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: In this study, we aimed to put forth the clinical consequences of rearrangement between chromosomes 5 and 7 observed in one fetus, one newborn infant (siblings) and their parents. Materials and Methods: We performed chromosomal analysis in one fetus, one newborn (siblings) and their parents, applying standard protocols to fetal blood, amniotic fluid and peripheral blood samples. We performed both prenatal and postnatal karyotyping in the newborn infant. Results: We described rearrangements related to chromosomes 5 and 7 in these individuals. We found that the curetted fetus and newborn infant were carriers of unbalanced and balanced rearrangements, respectively. We …

The Relationship Between Carnitine Levels And Lipid Peroxidation In Glial Brain Tumors, Ni̇lüfer Bayraktar, Hati̇ce Paşaoğlu, Aydin Paşaoğlu, Memduh Kaymaz, Gürsel Bi̇beroğlu, Sevsen Kulaksizoğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: It is assumed that reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation cause cell membrane damage and play a role in oncogenesis. Carnitine and acyl esters, which play a role in intracellular short-, medium-, and long-chain fatty acid metabolism, are one of the defense mechanisms against free radical toxicity. It is thought that the protective effects of carnitine are related with its role in lipid metabolism. In our study, we analyzed the relation between malondialdehyde (MDA) and free carnitine, and C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C8, C10, C12, C14:1, C14, C16:1, C16, C18:1, C18, C20:4 carnitine levels in glial tumors [glioblastoma …

Effects Of Omega-3 On Lipid Peroxidation And Antioxidant Enzymes In Mk-801 Induced Schizophrenic Rat Testis, Bi̇rsen Özyurt, Fi̇kret Erdemi̇r, Beki̇r Suha Parlaktaş, Hüseyi̇n Özyurt, Hasan Erdoğan, Ayten Türkkani Tunç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Laparoscopic Cystogastrostomy For The Management Of Pancreatic Pseudocysts, Kaya Saribeyoğlu, Sali̇h Pekmezci̇, Ece Kol, Meti̇n Kapan, Hasan Taşçi

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aims: To assess the value of laparoscopic cystogastrostomy in the treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for pancreatic pseudocysts were included in the study. All the cysts were non-resolving, symptomatic and large, as a result of acute pancreatitis. Laparoscopic cystogastrostomies were performed by either anterior transgastric or posterior techniques. Results: From February 2001 to November 2006, seven patients were included into the study. The etiology of pancreatitis was gallstone disease in six cases and hyperlipidemia in one. The mean age was 58.7 years (52-69) and the mean pseudocyst size was 15.1 cm (7-20). Transgastric …

Is The Gök Atlas Sufficiently Reliable For Forensic Age Determination Of Turkish Children?, Bora Büken, Erhan Büken, Alp Alper Şafak, Burhan Yazici, Zerri̇n Erkol, Ati̇lla Mayda

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: We investigated whether the contemporary use of the Gök Atlas method is sufficiently reliable for forensic age estimations of Turkish children. Materials and Methods: Plain radiographs of 248 females and 298 males between 11 and 22 years of age were taken. Paired sample t-tests, Pearson correlation coefficients, and linear regression were used to determine the differences and model the relationships between mean skeletal (bone) age (BA) and mean chronological age (CA), using SPSS 11.5 statistical software. Results: In all cases, the CA and BA scores were significantly different and showed high correlation (P < 0.05). The regression model was significant (P < 0.01). According to age groups, the BA was greater than the CA for all age groups by 0.09-3.10 years for boys and 0.44-3.05 years for girls, and this difference was significant for all age groups >14 years for boys and for …

Effect Of Lactation On Bone Mineral Density Later In Life In Turkish Women, Orhan Aksakal, Hakan Aytan, Sabri̇ Cavkaytar, Ömer Lütfi̇ Tapisiz, Tayfun Güngör, Bülent Özdal, Leyla Mollamahmutoğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: To investigate the probable effect of lactation on bone mineral density (BMD) later in life. Materials and Methods: Eighty-seven premenopausal and 18 postmenopausal Turkish women were classified into four groups according to age. Age, height, weight, menopausal status, age at menopause (in postmenopausal women), years since menopause (in postmenopausal woman), parity and total lactation period were recorded. Lumbar spine BMD (L2-L4) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). In each group, correlations of lactation with BMD were investigated using Pearson correlation test, and multiple regression analyses were used to determine the factors associated with BMD. Results: No significant correlation …